Steve Doocy Validates Coach Who Says Jesus Is Cool With Football Field Prayer

Fox & Friends loves prayer, especially the public kind like that of a Christian public school football coach who prays on the 50 yard line. But sadly, the school district is telling this fine Christian to ixnay on the prayer and that, happily, provides Fox & Friends with yet another persecuted Christian victimhood story

Today, Steve Doocy began his "Fight for [unconstitutional] Faith" series with a report about how a Jesus hating school district has forbidden a beloved Christian coach from publicly praying after games, "a post game tradition" - a sad story that professional Fox Christian victim Todd Starnes has already glommed onto. The banner framed the Fox persecuted Christian message: "Faith Under Fire, School District Targets Prayer Ritual." Doocy happily informed us that the coach plans to continue praying, "no matter what the Bremerton school district tells him."

Doocy introduced his guest, coach, Joseph Kennedy, who was accompanied by his lawyer Hiram Sasser from the Liberty Institute, an organization that specializes in persecuted Christians. Doocy recounted how Kennedy started a tradition of praying, after the end of the game, on the 50 yard line and, praise Jesus and Roger Ailes, players joined him in a prayer circle.

Kennedy enthused about the awesomeness of this team prayer which, obviously, is taking place on a publicly funded school football field. When he mentioned that the prayer circle has been joined by players from opposing teams, Steve Doocy said "that's great" and added that even though the school has prohibited the field praying, Kennedy is going to defy the order at tomorrow night's game. The banner proclaimed that the coach is "Not Backing Down."

When Doocy asked him why he's doing this, Kennedy said that had "kind of made an agreement with my personal faith and with God that this was something that I was going to do, and I was going to give him the glory after every single game, and do it on the 50." Doocy said "sure." Doocy noted that Kennedy spent 20 years in the Marines "defending the Constitution and the freedoms that everybody have." (Which don't include endorsing religion, in this case Christianity, on public school property and at a public school function.)

Doocy wanted to know if the school district's prohibition is constitutional. Naturally, Sasser said that it isn't because it's after the game and the coach "has the right to personally pray" and "doesn’t have a duty to flee the scene if other kids happen to come along.” The banner: "Faith on the Field, HS Coach Prays With Players on 50 Yard Line." Without quoting the decision, he said that the Supreme Court ruled that students know the difference between somebody acting as an individual and somebody acting as a gov't rep and, in this case, Kennedy is acting as an individual. Doocy said that "it's great" that Sasser is defending Kennedy.

Kennedy said that he's "strong in his faith" and doesn't think he will be fired for continuing with his public prayer because he "has a higher power" that he "answers to." In reinforcing Fox's validation of Kennedy, the banner "explained" that the "post game prayers" are "voluntary" which, of course, doesn't mean bupkis if it's being seen as an endorsement of faith by a public entity.

Doocy said that the school district has not responded to Fox's query; but if he had bothered to do some research, he would have found the district's letter to Kennedy which referenced constitutional concerns which the Freedom From Religion Foundation details - details not mentioned by Jesus BFF, Steve Doocy who might not be so thrilled about a Muslim coach doing some Muslim prayer on the 50!

The coach might want to bone up on these little midfield prayer sessions. First off, it doesn’t matter in the least that it’s “after the game.” He’s still a school employee in charge of students and he’s in violation of the law which states (and courts have continued to uphold) that THOSE IN CHARGE OF STUDENTS may not lead any sort of prayers (if the players want to do this, that’s perfectly fine—a bit questionable regarding location and time, but fine nonetheless. Hell, he’s even allowed to participate AS LONG AS he does NOT direct the prayer, much less lead it. As to the “after the game,” as noted above, it’s STILL considered “school activity.” If students are required to abide by school policies to attend prom (which is most assuredly held after school hours but story after story has turned up where even public school proms are being governed by “dress codes” that have to meet SCHOOL expectations and many LGBT students continue facing being turned away from their own proms because they take same-sex dates).

Then, too, there’s the fact that his leading the prayer sessions makes it difficult for any player(s) who may wish not to participate. They can feel pressured to participate because of fears or expectations that their playing time may be at risk if they don’t do “what the coach says.” Students may pray at any time and in any place BUT they can NOT be coerced or intimidated into doing so.

Finally, the coach might want to reread his Bible for future reference and heed the words of his supposed “Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ”:

And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (bolding mine)

Maybe they could find a middle ground. Say, build coach Kennedy a special crucifex/coaching seat where he could oversee all the events on the field. But not one of those crucifexs with the nasty nails and such. But one with a nice comfy seat and drink holder.

And if he called for his team to do a 98 triple three switchback, who on his team would disobey an order coming down from the cross?

He could pray to God in his thoughts and stop with the spectacle. If it’s after each game ,if they win , it probably goes like this: oh thank you lord for letting us kick their butts. If they lose it would be: ‘oh please, please God let us win. I promise I will give my neighbor’s left arm and both kidneys if you please let us win.’ Just because these people and fox talk about prayer doesn’t at all mean they are sincere or actually do it. Another talking point to appease all the other fake fox watching Christians. A true Christian wouldn’t showboat the personal act of prayer.